User detection and recognition for electronic devices

Abstract

In one example an electronic device comprises a proximity detector, a camera, and a controller, comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that an object approaching the electronic device is within a predetermined distance while the electronic device is in a first low-power state, and in response to the indication, to activate the camera on the electronic device while the electronic device remains in a low-power state and determine whether an image input to the camera is a human while the electronic device remains in a low-power state. Other examples may be described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a proximity detector; 
 a camera; and 
 a controller, comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that an object approaching the electronic device is within a predetermined distance while the electronic device is in a first low-power state, and in response to the indication, to: 
 activate the camera on the electronic device while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a human while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; and 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is not the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to:
 present an unrecognized user message on a display of the electronic device; and 
 present a manual login option on the display. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image input is a human, is to:
 transition the electronic device back from the first low-power state to a second power state. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image is a human, is to:
 activate at least one face-recognition module on the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to:
 allow the authorized user to access the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 detect that an operating system on the electronic device has gone idle due to inactivity, and in response thereto, to receive an input from the proximity sensor and the camera. 
 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 determine, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is not an object within a predetermined distance, and in response to the indication, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: 
 allow the authorized user to access the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       10. A controller, comprising logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from a proximity sensor, an indication that an object approaching an electronic device coupled to the controller is within a predetermined distance while the electronic device is in a first low-power state, and in response to the indication, to: 
 activate a camera on the electronic device while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a human while the electronic device remains in a low-power state; and 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is not the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to:
 present an unrecognized user message on a display of the electronic device; and 
 present a manual login option on the display. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The controller of  claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image input is a human, is to:
 transition the electronic device back from the first low-power state to a second power state. 
 
     
     
       12. The controller of  claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic which, in response to a determination that the image is a human, is to:
 activate at least one face-recognition module on the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       13. The controller of  claim 10 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to:
 allow the authorized user to access the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       14. The controller of  claim 13 , wherein the controller further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 detect that an operating system on the electronic device has gone idle due to inactivity, and in response thereto, to receive an input from the proximity sensor and the camera. 
 
     
     
       15. The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 determine, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is not an object within a predetermined distance, and in response to the indication, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is not a human, and in response to a determination that the image is not a human, to:
 transition the electronic device from an operating power state to the first low-power state. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The controller of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic device further comprises logic, at least partly including hardware logic, to:
 receive, from the proximity sensor, an indication that there is an object within a predetermined distance; 
 determine whether an image input to the camera is a face of an authorized user of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the image is the face of an authorized user of the electronic device, to: 
 allow the authorized user to access the electronic device.